Annual and Daily Rituals

The Maha Sangha headed by the chief priest of the Atamasthana continued
to stay in Anuradhapura to look after the Maha Bodhi and to conduct the
age old rituals associated with it. It is amazing that inspite of the fact
that Anuradhapura was invaded, plundered, destroyed and occupied for a
considerable period of time by South Indian invaders no harm was done to
the Maha Bodhi while heavy damage was caused to other edifices.

Even
today, four annual rituals are performed in honour of the Jaya Siri Maha
Bodhi:

The Aluth Sahal Mangalaya is performed on Duruthu Full Moon Poya
day in December or January when the first portion of the new harvest is
offered to the Maha Bodhi.

The Nanumura Mangalaya is performed prior to
Wesak Full Moon Poya Day in May wherein the Maha Bodhi is decorated with
ornaments and milk rice is offered not only to the Maha Bodhi but to the
Atamasthana or the eight sacred places.

A deva puja is offered to gods headed
by Kalu Devata Bandara, the deity supposed to protect the Śrī Maha Bodhi.

The
Karti Mangalaya is performed in July or August during the annual pilgrim season.

Daily Rituals

There are several daily rituals performed at the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi
by the special staff designated for the purpose. They start early in the
morning with the cleaning of the premises. According to tradition, the
official Buddha puja is brought to the accompaniment of drums and offered
to the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi. Gilanpasa is offered in the evening. The
beating of drums called teva hevisi is done three times a day in the morning,
noon and evening.

The Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi is under the care of the
Director of the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. The Sri Lanka Army has been
entrusted with its security.